2024 UPDATE: If you’re overwhelmed by choice, here are some shows I saw this year and can definitely recommend (based on what you’re into, and what time they’re typically on). Refer to the show listings for venue info and show dates. 10am: Okay so for something totally unique and unexpected, Sawdust Symphony combines carpentry and circus for a show that has all kinds of moments ranging from weirdly pretty and hilarious to low-key disturbing and creepy (but on purpose). Hard to explain but highly memorable. tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sawdust-symphony 3pm: If you like silly musicals and keep up with internet trends/pop culture, check out Willy’s Candy Spectacular, based on the ultra viral Wonka experience scam in Glasgow from earlier this year. They even have the sad Oompa Loompa lady and (somehow) the original Veruca Salt from the 1971 movie! tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/willy-s-candy-spectacular-a-musical-parody 3pm: If you like card magic, Andrew Frost: Cards on the Table is a low-key and undramatic (but still) mind blowing show to see. tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/andrew-frost-cards-on-the-table 4:50pm: For a hilarious comedy show combining sketches and some of the best integration of audience participation I’ve ever seen, go to Steen Raskopoulos - Friendly Stranger. His commitment to every bit is honestly so impressive and wildly funny. One of my favourites this year! tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/steen-raskopoulos-friendly-stranger 5:30pm: If you like musicals, Showstopper the Musical is epic! They improvise a new show every night based on audience suggestions re: setting and musical style. tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/showstopper-the-improvised-musical 6:20pm: If you’re especially a fan of Hamilton, Shamilton is an improvised hip hop musical based on a new public figure every day. Epic! tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/shamilton-the-improvised-hip-hop-musical 6:50pm: For some classic feel-good stand-up, can't go wrong with Dara Ó Briain's My Entire Life is a Work in Progress (which included a lot of shoutouts to my hometown of Vancouver somehow, so felt like I was destined to see it haha) tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/dara-o-briain-my-entire-life-is-a-work-in-progress-work-in-progress 8pm: If you like zany and silly comedy, TH-camrs BriTANick do it with plenty of polish and clever writing in their show Dummy tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/britanick-dummy 9:15pm: If you like silly comedy with lots of seamless crowdwork woven in, Foil Arms and Hog: Skittish is great. Check out their stuff on TH-cam - they're hilarious. tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/foil-arms-and-hog-skittish
First time visit to Fringe in 2024. I stayed for four days, saw 9 shows, visited a few museums and I absolutely loved it. I have booked my accommodation for 2025 already. As a single traveler I found the most cost effective and comfortable way was to stay in a room in someone’s house which I found on Airbnb. I agree with the tips on the video. I did manage back to back shows, but in exactly the same room. I just left and rejoined the new queue. Otherwise allow plenty of time to move between venues. I only found crowds overwhelming and internet patchy on a Friday evening. The quality of shows was first class. Next year I am aiming to see a few more shows each day at more venues.
I loved the Fringe Festival I attended in 2022. A tip for cheap(ish) accommodation is the University of Edinburgh lets out rooms in their halls of residence which aren't in use over the summer break. Basic but a more affordable solution and their breakfast buffet in the university canteen is good - fuels you up for the day!
Great tip!! I’ll be staying in a uni dorm in Dublin in a few weeks - somehow it’s even pricier there than Edinburgh during the fringe haha. It was miles cheaper than everything else though so I’m excited to give it a try.
⬇FREE PROMO SECTION FOR 2024! If you're a performer at the Fringe this year, feel free to drop your info below. I'm still looking for shows to watch :) or if you have any recs based on shows you've watched this year, feel free to share them!
Hey Everyone! If you're in Edinburgh, be sure to check out Petty Tyrant. Shakespeare, but from the villainous she-clown perspective. It's at The Space UK until the 23rd (but not the 18th) at 11:10pm. This is my friend's Fringe debut and she'd love to perform for you!
Thanks for sharing. Your videos are inspiring. I am busy trying to plan a 10 week trip to Europe starting mid July 2025. Trying to narrow down the locations and how long to spend in each place is driving me NUTS
Thanks for watching and commenting!! I totally agree that narrowing locations/times down is a pain haha but it sounds like you have a nice chunk of time to play with. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time no matter what!
The luckiest (non resident) are the students who are in the city during festival times because they don't have to find accommodation! The most difficult and expensive thing for the festival is accommodation. Consider hotels in nearby towns on the railway line. The Edinburgh festival is unique in all the world. From morning to very late at night there are things to see, some good, some bad, and some amazing.
The Fringe wasn't crazy busy in .... 1996. This was before smartphones. We had a well located, walk to everything, and affordable hotel. We got tickets to shows, including the tattoo, by just going to the ticket office. Added bonus, we ran into Sean Connery. Discovered that British humor didn't translate easily to this American.
Wow sounds like you had an amazing experience! I need to know the Sean Connery story though. Was he performing in something or did you just run into him somewhere??
@HappytoWander He was staying in the hotel across the street. I assume he was there to make some sort of appearance, but pre-smartphone, there was no way to find out. We would see him coming and going. Very handsome.
Looking for a show to watch this year, and fan of stand-up with some improv and everything around dating? SunDate Roast is my show starting on Monday 19th of Aug. Would love to have you there :)
2024 UPDATE: If you’re overwhelmed by choice, here are some shows I saw this year and can definitely recommend (based on what you’re into, and what time they’re typically on). Refer to the show listings for venue info and show dates.
10am: Okay so for something totally unique and unexpected, Sawdust Symphony combines carpentry and circus for a show that has all kinds of moments ranging from weirdly pretty and hilarious to low-key disturbing and creepy (but on purpose). Hard to explain but highly memorable. tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sawdust-symphony
3pm: If you like silly musicals and keep up with internet trends/pop culture, check out Willy’s Candy Spectacular, based on the ultra viral Wonka experience scam in Glasgow from earlier this year. They even have the sad Oompa Loompa lady and (somehow) the original Veruca Salt from the 1971 movie! tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/willy-s-candy-spectacular-a-musical-parody
3pm: If you like card magic, Andrew Frost: Cards on the Table is a low-key and undramatic (but still) mind blowing show to see. tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/andrew-frost-cards-on-the-table
4:50pm: For a hilarious comedy show combining sketches and some of the best integration of audience participation I’ve ever seen, go to Steen Raskopoulos - Friendly Stranger. His commitment to every bit is honestly so impressive and wildly funny. One of my favourites this year! tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/steen-raskopoulos-friendly-stranger
5:30pm: If you like musicals, Showstopper the Musical is epic! They improvise a new show every night based on audience suggestions re: setting and musical style. tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/showstopper-the-improvised-musical
6:20pm: If you’re especially a fan of Hamilton, Shamilton is an improvised hip hop musical based on a new public figure every day. Epic! tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/shamilton-the-improvised-hip-hop-musical
6:50pm: For some classic feel-good stand-up, can't go wrong with Dara Ó Briain's My Entire Life is a Work in Progress (which included a lot of shoutouts to my hometown of Vancouver somehow, so felt like I was destined to see it haha) tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/dara-o-briain-my-entire-life-is-a-work-in-progress-work-in-progress
8pm: If you like zany and silly comedy, TH-camrs BriTANick do it with plenty of polish and clever writing in their show Dummy tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/britanick-dummy
9:15pm: If you like silly comedy with lots of seamless crowdwork woven in, Foil Arms and Hog: Skittish is great. Check out their stuff on TH-cam - they're hilarious. tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/foil-arms-and-hog-skittish
First time visit to Fringe in 2024. I stayed for four days, saw 9 shows, visited a few museums and I absolutely loved it. I have booked my accommodation for 2025 already. As a single traveler I found the most cost effective and comfortable way was to stay in a room in someone’s house which I found on Airbnb. I agree with the tips on the video. I did manage back to back shows, but in exactly the same room. I just left and rejoined the new queue. Otherwise allow plenty of time to move between venues. I only found crowds overwhelming and internet patchy on a Friday evening. The quality of shows was first class. Next year I am aiming to see a few more shows each day at more venues.
Amazing footages of Edinburgh. The place is so vibrant, livey and very cozy and the same time.
There’s no city like it! Especially during the festival haha. Super busy but amazing.
I loved the Fringe Festival I attended in 2022. A tip for cheap(ish) accommodation is the University of Edinburgh lets out rooms in their halls of residence which aren't in use over the summer break. Basic but a more affordable solution and their breakfast buffet in the university canteen is good - fuels you up for the day!
Great tip!! I’ll be staying in a uni dorm in Dublin in a few weeks - somehow it’s even pricier there than Edinburgh during the fringe haha. It was miles cheaper than everything else though so I’m excited to give it a try.
Very well made video! Thank you so much! Practical tips!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for such a helpful video! I'm visiting for the first time this month and found this really valuable.
⬇FREE PROMO SECTION FOR 2024! If you're a performer at the Fringe this year, feel free to drop your info below. I'm still looking for shows to watch :) or if you have any recs based on shows you've watched this year, feel free to share them!
SunDate Roast is my show starting on Monday 19th of Aug. Would love to have you there if you are free :)
Hey Everyone! If you're in Edinburgh, be sure to check out Petty Tyrant. Shakespeare, but from the villainous she-clown perspective. It's at The Space UK until the 23rd (but not the 18th) at 11:10pm. This is my friend's Fringe debut and she'd love to perform for you!
I'm going this year, & this was sooo helpful, thank you!! Anxious about how busy it will be but so excited
Hope you have an amazing time! Glad you enjoyed the video 🫶
Very helpful thanks!
You’re very welcome!
Thanks for sharing. Your videos are inspiring. I am busy trying to plan a 10 week trip to Europe starting mid July 2025. Trying to narrow down the locations and how long to spend in each place is driving me NUTS
Thanks for watching and commenting!! I totally agree that narrowing locations/times down is a pain haha but it sounds like you have a nice chunk of time to play with. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time no matter what!
One of the comedians I follow on TH-cam is performing at the fringe. A Chinese Australian Jenny tian.
Ooh thanks for that!! I’ll add her to my list :)
The luckiest (non resident) are the students who are in the city during festival times because they don't have to find accommodation! The most difficult and expensive thing for the festival is accommodation. Consider hotels in nearby towns on the railway line. The Edinburgh festival is unique in all the world. From morning to very late at night there are things to see, some good, some bad, and some amazing.
Very good video. Have u been today cause there's a few things different this year that u might not know about
I won’t be there for another week or so!! What kind of changes should I be prepared for?! 😱
The Fringe wasn't crazy busy in .... 1996. This was before smartphones. We had a well located, walk to everything, and affordable hotel. We got tickets to shows, including the tattoo, by just going to the ticket office. Added bonus, we ran into Sean Connery. Discovered that British humor didn't translate easily to this American.
Wow sounds like you had an amazing experience! I need to know the Sean Connery story though. Was he performing in something or did you just run into him somewhere??
@HappytoWander He was staying in the hotel across the street. I assume he was there to make some sort of appearance, but pre-smartphone, there was no way to find out. We would see him coming and going. Very handsome.
@@DC-pr2bq haha awesome! That must have added an extra layer of excitement to the trip for sure.
Looking for a show to watch this year, and fan of stand-up with some improv and everything around dating? SunDate Roast is my show starting on Monday 19th of Aug.
Would love to have you there :)